The 2009 Cadillac Escalade EXT has 4 recalls, all centered on the front passenger airbag inflator, which can rupture during deployment and send sharp metal fragments into the cabin, posing a risk of serious injury or death.
All four recalls address the same passenger-side frontal airbag inflator defect. The propellant inside the inflator can degrade over time when exposed to heat and humidity, causing the inflator to burst with excessive force rather than deploying normally. The result is the same across every filing: in a crash that triggers the airbag, the inflator can explode and scatter metal fragments toward the driver and passengers instead of cushioning them. Because the filings cover vehicles registered in different states and regions, the Escalade EXT may be subject to more than one of these campaigns depending on where it has been titled or registered. The underlying danger, however, is a single defect that has been addressed through multiple geographic campaigns targeting areas with the high heat and humidity conditions that accelerate propellant breakdown.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant breakdown after prolonged exposure to high humidity, heat, and temperature changes.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different inflator at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
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At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator contains a propellant that can degrade and rupture after prolonged exposure to high heat, humidity, and temperature swings.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with a different one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger air bag inflator may fail to deploy or deploy incorrectly in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The propellant in the passenger-front airbag can degrade over time from heat and humidity exposure. This may cause the airbag to deploy with excessive force, potentially rupturing the inflator and scattering fragments toward occupants or damaging the airbag assembly.
What the fix does
Your dealer will replace the passenger-front airbag inflator as a precautionary measure to prevent future propellant degradation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
